George Brown students craft gingerbread delights in annual competition

Toronto – George Brown College showcased a high calibre of student talent – and a high number of entries – at its annual gingerbread house contest, held in person in the college’s Atrium.

Professor and chef Sue Fleming, who organized the annual event, said students in the baking and pastry arts programs were tasked with creating a gingerbread house inspired by their interpretation of Main Street.

Madeleine Sooklal took home top honours and a $2,000 prize for her intricate Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, inspired by the memorable shows she’s seen over the years as depicted in the show posters on the building’s exterior. Highlights include rows of tiny red seats made of fondant, poured sugar windows and plush, realistic-looking red curtains made using a rice paper technique she learned on YouTube and that includes gelatin, glycerin and food colouring.

Cheung Ming Ngai won second prize ($1,000) for his impressive Wong Tai Sin Temple, which opened in 1921 and draws Honkongese during Chinese New Year, featured meticulous piping, bold colours, tiny replica of altar and bamboo sticks, and gilt touches on the exterior gates.

Second place

Thomas Villiger won third prize ($500) for his tribute to the Alberta Wheat Pool featuring pristine gingerbread, detailed equipment and oat shingles.

Third place

Yolanda Buitrago Caicedo’s colourful, detailed vacation home, Mi Casa e So Casa, won the people’s choice award, determined by online voting. She received a $150 gift certificate from George Brown College, which can be redeemed toward baking books and the college’s eateries.

People’s Choice

First place, the Royal Alex Theatre, interior

Second place

Third place

People’s Choice

Sue Fleming, Dufflet Rosenberg, Madeleine Sooklal, Joanna Yolles and Austin D’Souza

Dawn Foods

Sponsor Dawn Foods provided the prize money for the event. All four students will receive baking books from Wiley. Russell Hendrix Food Equipment supported the competition as a sponsor.

Judges for the event were Dufflet Rosenberg, Dufflet Group Inc.; pastry chef and instructor Joanna Yolles; Austin D’Souza, Dawn Foods; Christopher VanBussel, Dawn Foods; and Colleen Cross, Bakers Journal.

Bakers Journal would like to congratulate all participants in this year’s contest and wish all of the students and staff of George Brown College a safe, happy and healthy holiday!